Staff Spotlight: Claire Halliday
Meet Digital Advisor Claire Halliday. Claire's D&A journey began during her time on the DFN Project SEARCH course. This, along with her passion for digital and learning, supported her to transition into work and secure a role at D&A.
What's your role at D&A College, and what's the story behind how you ended up here?
I am the Digital Advisor for the Gardyne Campus Library. I help students with accessing Teams and other college systems and manage the LapSafe lockers so students can borrow laptops. I help with the distribution of long-term device loans for students that need a device to complete their college work. I also do general library duties, such as issuing and returning books, selling stationery and printing top ups at the library, as well as much more.
I ended up in this role because I went on the DFN Project Search course. This course helps people who are neurodiverse and have other disabilities to get into paid employment. I have dyspraxia and autism and did many different work experiences and volunteer roles in the past, however nothing worked despite my best efforts. On the course, I ended up on placement in the Learning and Digital Resources team at Dundee and Angus College making online Rise courses for the college. I must’ve done something right as I was then told about a job role in the department. After what seemed like 100s of practice interviews and lots of support for my interview, I ended up getting the job. One of the reasons that highly I recommend this course to neurodiverse people, is because I got so much 1 on 1 support from my lecturer and job coach. They really prepare, help and break down barriers when it comes to people with disabilities in work and I really believe in what they are trying to do as a lot of us are either never given the chance, or branded as lazy or just too different. This is proven in the employment rates for autistic people which makes up 22% in work.
Work is one thing, but what do you do outside of the college walls? Any exciting hobbies or weekend adventures?
I love playing video games, especially JRPG’s, watching anime, reading manga/books and learning about Japanese culture. My favourite game franchises are Persona and Kingdom Hearts. My favourite anime/manga is One piece, and I feel that 1122 episodes are not enough. I am also learning Japanese, which I enjoy doing.
When you were younger, what was your dream job? And if you could do any career, what would you choose and why?
I wanted to do something with computers or in digital when I was younger because I would spend a lot of time on the computer playing games.
If you could have any person, dead or alive, as a dinner guest , who would it be and why?
I would pick Eiichiro Oda the creator of One Piece so he could sign my manga, and we could talk about One Piece for hours!
Share with us the most valuable piece of advice or life lesson that's really stuck with you, especially when it comes to dealing with the ups and downs of learning.
I would say if you really want to learn something, to never give up no matter how hard it gets.
Look out for more staff spotlights coming soon!